ment on personal devotion, and the semblance of a public slight offered in the house of prayer to Him for whose worship his people assemble. We hope our remarks will be taken in good part, alike by ministers and their congregations.

HOURS OF THOUGHT. Waugh and Innes.

THE motive that impelled us to peruse with some interest this singular book, may be best understood if we cite a fact from the advertisement prefixed by Mr. Innes. The author, he says, 'is actually engaged in the manual labours of the field, in a remote district of Scotland.' And, after commenting on the disadvantages of such a situation, in point of literary facilities, he expresses a benevolent hope, ‘that such encouragement will be given to this small volume, as shall induce the author to devote some farther hours to the same kind of thinking, and furnish him with a little more leisure to give similar expression to his thoughts.'

Taking the above-mentioned fact into consideration, the little book is a prodigy. The first section, On intellectual greatness, the second, On moral greatness, and the third, On poetry, are of a mixed character, though very strongly imbued with the spirit of true piety. The fourth, On luxury, comes closer to the point; and the remaining four are wholly religious. We do not feel the slightest hesitation in echoing the wish of the publisher, or in recommending the author to our readers' encouraging patronage. He is a deep thinker, expresses himself

with energy and precision, and throws out many suggestions well worthy of being considered, and reduced to practice.

A TEACHER'S First Lessons on RELIGION; with a Catechism, and a series of Lessons on Prayer. By Charles Baker, head Master of the Yorkshire Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, &c.

A TEACHER'S Lessons on the CREATION; with a Catechism. By the same.

A TEACHER'S Lessons on SCRIPTURE CHARACTERS; with Catechisms. By the same. Second Edition, with Additions.

THE SCRIPTURE TEACHER'S ASSISTANT, with Explanations and Lessons; designed for Sunday Schools and Families. By Henry Althans.

MR. BAKER'S books may furnish some useful hints to parents and teachers, though we do not think that he gives so much prominence to the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel as he might do, in the two lastmentioned of his books. The first, which is introductory, sets them forth satisfactorily enough; and we are promised a fuller developement of them in subsequent publications. The author dissents from Dr. Watts' plan of making the principles of religion precede the historical portions: we, cordially concurring with Dr. Watts, consider Mr. Baker's work as defective in its present state; but we repeat that Christian parents and teachers may find it very useful. The plan of instruction, primarily intended for the deaf and dumb, is very simple, very clear;

and does much credit to the author's benevolent ingenuity, in a most difficult branch of the educational art.

Mr. Althans' small book is on John Ryland's rule, "Simplify and repeat-simplify and repeat." Its substance is, the Gospel history of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, divided into fifty-two subjects. The little people are made to dissect, and analyse, and repeat, at great length; with abundant explanations, and practical remarks. The plan, under a patient teacher, promises, instrumentally, much good to the pupils.

LEISURE

DEVOTIONAL

MUSINGS AND MEDITATIONS, in humble strains of poetry. By the Rev. James Holme, A. B., perpetual curate of St. Mary's church, Low-Harrogate.

A PRETTY little volume, the breathings of a devout mind, and bespeaking much local attachment. The frequenters of Low-Harrogate can best appreciate the descriptive part of the book; but the sentiments will recommend it more generally.

CONGREGATIONAL and DOMESTIC PRAISE, consisting of Select portions of Psalms and Hymns, adapted to appropriate Tunes, with a choice collection of Chants. By Mr. R. A. Firth, Hampstead.

We do not assume any knowledge of music, but we love to see facilities afforded for the united harmony of families and of congregations, in the delightful work of praise; and therefore we gladly record the

testimony of very competent judges in favor of this compilation, for such is its general character, though interspersed with a few original melodies. We heartily recommend it, wherever a neat volume of moderate size, well stored with devotional harmony, may be acceptable.

SCRIPTURAL TRACTS FOR THE POOR. By the Author of Aids to Developement;' Glenrock Sunday School, &c.

EIGHTPENNY worth of sound doctrine, arranged in a very simple form, under the heads of The Ploughman,' 'The Sower,'' The Reaper,''The Gleaner,' and The Shepherd,'-extremely well adapted to the habits and comprehension of humble labourers— good and profitable for all classes. We wish the pious and judicious author a plentiful harvest of souls, through its means.

DAYLIGHT. By the Author of The Week.'
THE FIRST LENT LILIES. A tale for children.
By the Author of The Bread of Deceit.'

THE CHILD'S BOOK OF BIBLE STORIES, with practical illustrations and remarks. No I. On the Fall. By the Rev. J. H. Gallaudet, late Principal of the American asylum for the deaf and dumb.

ANECDOTES, Illustrative of the Catechism of the Church of England. Seeleys.

THESE are among the 'little books for little people;' all nice; but we prefer the first and the last. The second lacks doctrine; and the third is rather overloaded with illustration. All, however, are good.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHRISTIAN
LADY'S MAGAZINE.

MADAM,

I doubt not I shall be expressing the feelings of a large number of the readers of your Magazine, in venturing to offer you very sincere thanks for introducing to their notice many valuable works, which, but for your review of them, might not have been known, at least to those at a distance from the great centre of publication. The extent of benefit you may thus be made instrumental in effecting can scarcely be calculated. I could bear delightful testimony to much of this nature of good which has come within my own personal knowledge, and which, I trust, will spread its effectual (though it may be long hidden) leaven beyond the possibility of tracing. I have been specially led to these observations in connection with a work you highly recommend in your list for September, entitled Sprague on, Christian Intercourse. It is truly worthy the most serious practical attention. Never was the consideration of this important subject more required than at the present time, when expediency has so widely extended its degenerating influence, as to form a large surface of neutral ground on which alas, even true Christians may be seen parlying in close contact with the enemy-when a false fear of injuring the great cause